Miller meets media in first day back at Dove Valley

The sixth week of the 2013 NFL season has come and gone, which means the Denver Broncos will finally be getting back Pro Bowl linebacker Von Miller. The third year, 2011 first round draft pick was suspended back in August for violating the NFL’s Substance Abuse Policy.

During his suspension, Miller was unable to practice or travel with the team. He was able to return to practice and team activities today and said to reporters that he is, “Happy to be back…I’m excited for the opportunity, I’m excited to get back on the field, I’m excited just to go to practice.”

When asked about the suspension, Miller said, “I definitely made mistakes in the past, you know it won’t do anybody any good to go back and defend that stuff. I have already served my suspension. I’m working hard to gain everybody’s trust back. I’m just going to continue to take it one day at a time. All I can ask is that everybody judge me on my actions going forward and I can gain everybody’s trust back that way.”

Miller has spent the last six weeks doing everything he can to make sure that he stayed ready to go. Head coach John Fox said in his weekly Monday press conference that, “(Miller) looks in terrific shape; I think our strength staff has done a super job.”

In an interview with The Denver Post Miller said, “I still move like a wildcat. I’m still quick. I’m still going to cover guys. I’m in the best shape of my life.” The Post went on to note that, “(Miller’s) up to 262 pounds — he started his rookie season at 246 pounds — but he has lost 2 percent of body fat, which now measures at a sculpted 10 percent.”

The question isn’t whether Miller is strong enough to play, but whether he is in football shape, or how long it will take him to get there. We will get our first glimpse on Wednesday when he returns to practice.